Residents face fines for using pylons to reserve city parking spots
Removing snow from a parking spot doesn't mean you own it, city officials say.
Toronto city officials are reminding the public that residents with street parking permits cannot reserve street-side parking spots with a pylon, even if they shovelled it.
The announcement comes following historic snowfall, with some parts of the city seeing around 60 cm of accumulation.
That has led to a lot of shoveling, and prompted some residents to place cones in the spots they cleared in an attempt to 'reserve' them -- but removing snow from a parking spot doesn’t mean you own it, a city spokesperson told CityNews.
“Chapter 743 of the Toronto Municipal Code prohibits residents from obstructing a street, with an associated fine of $240,” they told the news outlet.
Residents who spot a ‘reserved’ parking spot can report it to enforcement via 311.
Toronto declared a significant weather event on January 25 amidst the record-breaking storm. That declaration remains in effect in an effort to support efficient snow removal operations.
“Targeted snow removal (hauling away snow piles) is continuing in high-priority locations across the city, including transit corridors and school loading zones to keep the city moving, improve accessibility, and create capacity for future snowfalls,” the city says in a press release.
“Drivers are reminded to avoid parking where temporary orange 'No Parking – Snow Removal’ signs are posted as crews will be removing the snow from these areas within 24 hours of the sign being posted. Vehicles parked on streets with these temporary signs could be fined or towed at the owner’s expense.”
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